International Criminal Court – Prosecutor applies to ICC for arrest warrants (20 May 2024)

On 20 May 2024, the International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Karim Khan, applied for arrest warrants to be issued against three Hamas leaders and the Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister for what he describes as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Since 7 October France has condemned the anti-Semitic massacres perpetrated by Hamas. The terrorist group claimed responsibility for the barbaric attacks directed against civilians, accompanied by acts of torture and sexual violence that it documented itself, including by broadcasting and celebrating them.

As regards Israel, it will be for the Court’s preliminary chamber to rule on the issuing of these warrants after examining the evidence put forward by the Prosecutor to back up his accusations, taking into account the principle of complementarity and possible action by the Israeli courts. For many months now, France has been warning about the imperative of strict compliance with international humanitarian law and particularly the unacceptable nature of the civilian losses in the Gaza Strip, and insufficient humanitarian access.

France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence and the fight against impunity in every situation.

France is committed to the search for a lasting political solution in the region, which alone can restore a horizon of peace and put an end to the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.